AirNow.gov is the primary resource in the United States for up-to-date measurements of air quality. It’s part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) index for reporting air quality conditions all across the country.
While this is an extremely helpful resource, it is focused on general conditions across large regions and may miss or ignore hyperlocal conditions near the home, which may be far away from the nearest monitor. Local air quality can be impacted by things like traffic, construction, and industrial processes.
Interactive map
EPA has an interactive map showing the locations of every air quality monitor across North America
The EPA has an interactive map showing the locations of every air quality monitor across North America. Zoom in and take a look at the air quality sensors that are located in AprilAire’s home state, Wisconsin.
One will notice that sensors are more concentrated near large population centers in the southeastern part of the state, and more spread out across the rest of the state where fewer people live.
Monitoring Air on the Local Level
The technology used to measure air quality is becoming more widely available and easier to operate, and some regions of the country are getting creative in their efforts to show local air quality conditions.
In New York City, an environmental tech company called Aclima is using a mobile monitoring system to give a more accurate picture of air quality on streets and neighborhoods across the city.
They attach air quality sensors to vehicles that 'measure air pollution on a block-by-block level during different times, days, and seasons' as they drive around the streets of New York. The hyperlocal data they acquire can then be used to address air quality concerns in the neighborhoods that need the most help and may have been overlooked in the past. They call these 'hot spots of air pollutants'.
Innovative methods for measuring air quality
Other innovative methods for measuring air quality have included attaching sensors to bicyclists
Other innovative methods for measuring air quality have included attaching sensors to bicyclists and providing grants for groups or individual citizens interested in purchasing monitoring equipment to use in their area. For peace of mind about the air quality inside the home, AprilAire makes at-home testing kits for radon.
These types of tests are a great first step in ensuring the safety of users ’ homes. If users discover there’s an issue that needs to be addressed, they shouldn’t hesitate to contact their local healthy air professional, who can deliver whole-house solutions for the indoor air quality.
The State of The Air
New innovations in air quality monitoring will continue to provide a clearer picture of the health of the environment around people. It’s important to stay aware of the many factors that can impact air quality nearby, like weather events, allergen levels, and pollution.
To see how air quality is measured in the state, one can find the local environmental organization that reports data to the EPA. They can see a list of monitoring sites in the area, and get a better idea of how closely air quality is being measured near their home. This is a great first step toward ensuring that everyone has access to clean, healthy air.
